• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5 Standard Power processor (i5-3xxxx) or equivalent recommended. At least 2 processors should be assigned when running FactoryTalk Design Workbench on a virtual machine.
• RAM: 8 GB minimum
• Hard disk space: 20 GB free
• Optical drive: DVD-ROM

• Windows Server® 2025 Standard (Recommended OS)**
• Windows Server 2022 Standard (Recommended OS)**
• Windows® 11 Enterprise (Recommended OS)
• Windows 11 Professional (Recommended OS)
• Windows 11 Enterprise 2024 LTSC 64-bit (v24H2)
• Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 2024 LTSC 64-bit (v24H2)***
• Windows 10 Enterprise 64-bit
• Windows 10 Professional 64-bit
• Windows 10 Enterprise 2021 LTSC 64-bit (v21H2)
• Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 LTSC 64-bit (v1809)
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC 64-bit (v21H2)***
• Windows 10 2016 LTSB 64-bit

• Google® Chrome™ browser
• Microsoft Edge™
• Mozilla® Firefox®

• Configuring Firewalls for FactoryTalk Services Platform (publication FTSP-RM001) shows the ports, services, and firewall rules necessary for FactoryTalk® Services Platform components to function properly.
• Converged Plantwide Ethernet (CPwE) Design and Implementation Guide (publication ENET-TD001) is built on, and adds to, design guidelines from the Cisco Ethernet-to-the-Factory (EttF) solution and the Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture™.

• FactoryTalk Security Application Technique (publication SECURE-AT002) explains how to use FactoryTalk Security to implement authentication and authorization in your industrial automation system and how to enforce product-specific security for applications like Studio 5000 Logix Designer, FactoryTalk View, and FactoryTalk AssetCentre.

• System Security Design Guidelines Reference Manual (publication SECURE-RM001) provides guidelines for how to use Rockwell Automation products to improve the security of your industrial automation system.
• Configure System Security Features User Manual (publication SECURE-UM001) describes the system-level configuration requirements to use a controller that has achieved IEC 62443-4-2:2019 certification.
• CIP Security with Rockwell Automation Products Application Technique (publication SECURE-AT001) explains how to implement the Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) Security standard in your industrial automation control system (IACS).

• FactoryTalk Design Workbench supports as many of Connected Components Workbench™ features as possible, ensuring a seamless transition. Key features include:
  • Controller configuration
    • Display detailed controller information.
    • Configure communication settings for Distributed Network Protocol version 3 (DNP3), serial port, USB port, and Ethernet port.
    • Set up offline startup and fault conditions.
    • View diagnostic counters and channel information.
    • Manage data logs and recipes.
    • Set real-time clock parameters.
    • Define mapping associations for Modbus, DNP3, and Programmable Controller Communication Commands (PCCC).
    • Configure motion settings, including feedback motions.
    • Create user-defined structures.
  • Workbench capabilities
    • Manage and organize projects.
    • View and edit Program Organization Units (POUs) and the related settings in Project Organizer.
    • Add devices to a FactoryTalk Design Workbench project.
    • Configure the properties for project elements.
    • Adjust application-level settings.
  • Logic execution
    • Manage POUs.
    • Add and configure interrupts.
    • Create, edit, or delete user-defined functions or user-defined function blocks.
  • Device
    • Support the following Micro800 controllers:
      • Micro810
      • L20E
      • L50E
      • L70E
    • Change controllers in a FactoryTalk Design Workbench project.
    • Add, configure, or delete I/O configurations for Micro800 controllers.
  • Language and variable editor
    • Create and edit POUs in ladder diagram, function block diagram, and structure text language editors.
    • View unused variables and cross-reference information.
    • Set communication access for variables.
    • Add variables for data protection.
  • Online features
    • Build POUs and clear build errors.
    • Download, upload, or discover Micro800 controllers.
    • Set Micro800 controller connection paths.
    • Connect to Micro800 controllers.
    • Monitor variables online.
    • Secure Micro800 controllers with passwords.
  • Multiple session support
• Support browsing USB, Ethernet, and DF1 drivers. FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00 does not support browsing devices from other physical devices using the bridge function.

• When using RSLinx® Classic and FactoryTalk® Linx to simultaneously browse Micro800 controllers that are on the same subnet with the Broadcast discovery method, FactoryTalk Linx might not be able to browse these Micro800 controllers. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 4994634]
  To avoid this problem, use the Device List/Range discovery method. For example, you can enter 10.224.83.1-255 to browse Micro800 controllers within this range.

• When uploading a controller project that contains an unknown expansion module in the first slot, the other expansion modules in this controller project cannot be uploaded. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5042126]
  There is currently no workaround for this anomaly.

• After changing FactoryTalk Design Workbench language from English to another, opening FactoryTalk Design Workbench by double- clicking ftdw.exe from C:/Program Files/Rockwell Automation/FTDW will not reflect the language change. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5056584]

  To avoid this problem, after changing the language, open FactoryTalk Design Workbench from the Start menu or by double-clicking ftdw-launcher.exe from C:/Program Files/Rockwell Automation/FTDW.

• In a FactoryTalk Design Workbench project where a 2085-EP24VDC expansion module is configured in slot 2, 3, or 4, changing the controller from L70E, which supports nine expansion modules, to L50E, which supports four expansion modules, causes Project Organizer to incorrectly display five expansion module slots, with a placeholder remaining in the slot originally occupied by the 2085-EP24VDC expansion module. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5099702]
  To avoid this problem, before changing the controller, delete the 2085-EP24VDC expansion module and its subsequent modules.

• After uploading a project from a Micro800 controller to FactoryTalk Design Workbench, if you disconnect the controller and then build the project without making any prior changes to its content, you will still encounter a mismatch warning dialog that prevents the controller from reconnecting. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5112127]
  To avoid this problem:

  • For a build time stamp mismatch warning, select Connect.
  • For a content mismatch warning, select one of the following:
    • Download current project to the controller
    • Upload the project in the controller to overwrite current project content

• After downloading a project to a Micro800 controller, when the Micro800 controller is connected, and a program and its local variable grid is opened in the workspace, attempting to export the program's local variables after disconnecting from the controller might fail. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5116142]
  To avoid this problem, close the project, reopen it, and then export the local variables again.

• In ladder diagram programs, deleting one or more rungs from a Program Organization Unit (POU) might cause incorrect rung numbering in the POU. Consequently, when the POU is built, the Output pane might display errors referencing the incorrect rung numbers, and selecting an error location might not navigate to the corresponding rung. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 4028133]
  To avoid this problem, after deleting one or more rungs, close the POU, and then reopen it in the workspace to reflect the correct rung numbers.

• In structured text POUs, when defining a STRING-type variable that includes special characters such as |, \, }, and $, the language editor might incorrectly underline these characters, suggesting errors. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5197206]
  Special characters are allowed for the STRING data type. You can safely ignore the language editor's error indication.

• After downloading an LD program that includes a Micro810 controller for the first time, if you disconnect the controller and then build the project, you will encounter a time stamp mismatch warning when attempting to connect to the controller. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5197197]
  To avoid this problem, do one of the following:

  • In the warning dialog, select Connect.
  • Download the project again.

• When a function block diagram project containing a BOOL output reference is uploaded, the connection line between the instruction and the output reference appears as a solid line, whereas it should appear as a dotted line. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5198888]
  To resolve this UI display problem, after uploading the project, reconnect the output reference with the instruction.

• If OneDrive is online while FactoryTalk Design Workbench is running, the Change controller operation might fail. This happens because OneDrive might be synchronizing the project to your OneDrive cloud account. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5200596]
  To avoid this problem, ensure that OneDrive has completed synchronizing before performing the Change controller operation, or turn off OneDrive on the computer.

• If you rename more than one variable of a complex function block diagram (FBD) program at a time in the variable grid with the program opened, the changes might not be reflected in the FBD editor, except for the first variable renamed. Thereafter, if you close the FBD editor, and then reopen it, FactoryTalk Design Workbench will stop responding. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5211581]
  To resolve this problem, close FactoryTalk Design Workbench, and Unsaved changes will pop up before closing. In Unsaved changes, select Save. We recommend closing all FBD programs before renaming.

• After adding a Class 1 device to a FactoryTalk Design Workbench project and connecting to it, the longer you remain connected to the device, the longer it will take to complete the disconnecting process. For example, if you stay connected to a Class 1 device for around 24 hours, the disconnection operation might take around 10 minutes to complete. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5209121]
  To avoid this problem, before disconnecting from the device, close the global variable grid.

• The Error list page in the Output pane continues to display IsaGRAF-based instruction names for error reporting. First reported in FactoryTalk Design Workbench version 1.00.00. [Jira 5209539]
  For details about the mapping relationship between instruction names, refer to the Instruction set in alphabetical order topic in Connected Components Workbench Help. The instruction names used in FactoryTalk Design Workbench aligns with those in the Mapped Instruction column.

• If you open the structured text editor before or while making changes, pressing Enter to save the changes won’t work for these configurations:
  • Embedded I/O
    • Analog Input
    • Analog Output
  • DNP3 mapping
    • Binary input > Mapped Points
    • Double Binary input > Mapped Points
    • Binary output > Mapped Points
  • Modbus mapping
    • Address
  • MicroLogix mapping
    • File Number

• After making changes, press Tab or click a blank area outside the grid on the page.
• Close FactoryTalk Design Workbench, end RA.CCW.Service in Task Manager if it is running, restart FactoryTalk Design Workbench, and then make the changes again with the structured text editor closed.

• To install the software with no user interface using the default settings during the installation process. (Silent install)
   Setup.exe /Q /IAcceptAllLicenseTerms

• To install the Chinese language version of the software on the D: drive and display the progress, error, or complete messages during installation and restart the computer if necessary. (Unattended install)
   Setup.exe /QS /IAcceptAllLicenseTerms /AutoRestart /SetupLanguage=CHS /InstallDrive=D:

1. From Product Compatibility and Downloads Center, download the current version of FactoryTalk Design Workbench.
2. In the installation package, double-click Setup.exe.
3. On the welcome page, select a language to be shown during the installation process. By default, your system language is selected.
4. To install all components available using the recommended settings, select Install now, and then skip to step 9.
5. To select which component to install, select Customize.
6. On the Customize page, select the components. There might be three options shown:
• Mandatory (grayed-out and selected checkbox) indicates software that will be automatically installed as part of the selected application.
• Recommended (selected checkbox) indicates software that Rockwell Automation recommends for the application. You might decide to clear the checkbox so the software does not install.
• Optional (clear checkbox) indicates software that you might wish to include depending on your system. Select the box to include the software during installation.

7. Select the location for the Rockwell Automation software, and then select Install. The default location is C:\.
8. In That's it!, select Close to exit the installation, or:
• Select Installation Summary to see the installation details.
• Select Register for updates to learn how to receive email updates about product patches.
• Select Download it free to install Adobe Acrobat Reader.

1. Go to C:\Program Files\Rockwell Automation\FTDW.
2. Right-click ftdw.exe or ftdw-launcher.exe, and then select Run as administrator.
3. In User Account Control, select Yes.

1. Open Select device by doing one of the following:
• Select to open Online center, and then in Online center, select .
• In Project Organizer, select .

2. In Select device, select .
3. In Configure Drivers, from the Available Driver Types list, select Ethernet, and then select Add New.
4. In Configure Driver, do the following:
• Enter the driver name or accept the default name.
• From the Discovery Method list, select Device List/Range, and then in the Device List/Range column, enter the IP address for each device.

  We recommend appending ":EIP" to the IP address for better performance by avoiding the older CSPv4 port 2222.

5. In Configure Driver, select OK.
6. In Configure Drivers, select Close.
7. In Online center, in the row that contains the controller you want to connect, select .
8. In Select device, expand the Ethernet device driver you added, select the controller, and then select OK.

For a list of services that require network access and detailed information on security concerns, see Knowledgebase Document ID: IN40928  - Security Software Considerations to Prevent or Mitigate Impacts to Rockwell Automation Software Products.

Compatibility with VMware® has not been formally tested, but it has been used extensively with FactoryTalk Design Workbench.

• If you encounter poor performance when using VMware, consider upgrading VMware or running FactoryTalk Design Workbench on the host operating system. Because FactoryTalk Design Workbench and other software might attempt to access network resources, disabling unused network adapters might help optimize the overall system performance.
• If you use FactoryTalk Design Workbench with VMware, you might need to manually connect USB devices. If a virtual machine is running and its window is active, when a USB device is plugged in to the host computer, the USB device might automatically connect to the guest system instead. This auto connect feature can be disabled in the USB Controller panel of the virtual machine settings editor (VM > Settings). If all USB ports on the virtual machine are in use when it attempts to automatically connect a new device, a dialog will appear, giving you two options: disconnect an existing USB device to free up a port, or ignore the new device so that it connects to the host instead.

• Select VM > Removable Devices to connect specific USB devices to your virtual machine. If the physical USB devices are connected to the host computer through a hub, the virtual machine sees only the USB devices, not the hub.
• There is a menu item for each of the USB ports. Move the mouse over one of these items to see a cascading menu of devices that are plugged into your host computer and available for use. To connect a device to the virtual machine, select its name.
• If a device is already connected to that port, select the name of a new device to release the first device and connect the new one.
• To release a connected device, select None on the cascading menu for the port to which it is connected.
• If you physically plug a new device into the host computer and the auto connect feature does not connect it to a virtual machine, the device is initially connected to the host. Its name is also added to the VM > Removable Devices menu so you can connect it to the virtual machine manually.